May 18, 2023 - Psalms 48-52

I often tell the story I once heard about one of the New York Rockefellers who had died. At his funeral, an attendee wondered aloud to another, “I wonder how much he left,” to which his friend replied, “As far as I can tell, he left it all.” In my Bible, over the words of the sons of Korah, the editors have inserted the heading “The folly of trusting in riches.” The writers tell us, “even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others” (49:10). How foolish to trust in worldly riches – “This is the path of those who have foolish confidence” (49:13) – yet, the temptation is so great, so great that Jesus himself cautions us: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”(Matthew 6:19-21).

In a sense, these thoughts are a follow-up to the last two days in which the psalms encourage us to find our encouragement and approval not from people but from God. Man’s approval is fleeting and, often, misplaced. Our ultimate satisfaction and joy are not found there. Similarly, our lasting joy will be found not in the things of this world but in eternal things. Yes, we rejoice in this day, which the Lord has made, but we look toward another day when he will make all things right, and we will be with him in “an eternal state of joy” (James Boyce).

Seek ye first the Kingdom of God

And His righteousness

And all these things shall be added unto you

Allelu Alleluia

Ask and it shall be given unto you

Seek and ye shall find

Knock and it shall be opened unto you

Allelu Alleluia --Karen Lafferty (1972)